Tourism has always been a popular industry in Malaysia. For example, in 2019, Malaysia received over 26 million tourists and earned about RM86.1 billion.
Due to its success, many students opt to venture into this field after completing their secondary education.
In this article, we will discuss the hospitality and tourism courses and who should pursue them.
In industries such as travel, lodging, food and beverage, and general event management, hospitality and tourism are the art of providing a positive client experience.
Customers have a multitude of alternatives at their fingertips, as well as the information they need to educate themselves and make independent selections.
This is why it’s critical to provide customers with a positive experience and encourage them to do business with you again. Since customers are your best source for increasing brand awareness, the hospitality and tourism industry always emphasises this matter.
The hospitality and tourism industry is extensive and filled with various types of careers.
Here’s a list of fields related to this industry:
Malaysia’s tourism and hospitality field is the country’s largest and fastest-growing industry, contributing to the country’s economic growth and providing various job possibilities.
In the year 2018, Malaysia was named the third most visited country in Asia. This is not surprising as Malaysia is a multiracial country famous among tourists due to its rich history, an abundance of culture and of course, the fantastic food.
There is plenty to do – from beautiful beaches to modern cities, Malaysia has something for everyone. Plus, it’s primarily sunny year-round, so you don’t have to wait for the summer months to visit.
One of the initiatives done by the government to bring in more tourists is to introduce an unlimited travel card that allows tourists to use the integrated Rapid KL public transportation system. This will enable them to experience the country like a local and also save money on transportation.
Due to the success of this industry, many students are seeking out a degree in this profession.
Here are a few reasons why you should pursue a career in hospitality and tourism management:
This industry is vast, and the career opportunities you will have is enormous. For example, you can choose from being a hotel manager to a tour guide if you pursue a degree in hospitality and tourism.
The tourist business is full of dynamic elements that prepare you for various challenges, situations, and settings.
That is why, especially if you wish to combine work and travel, a career in tourism may open up the world for you.
Although some individuals choose hospitality and tourism because of the numerous possibilities to travel, this is not always the case.
Many people may have the ambition to work in this field, but they may not want to move around regularly.
Fortunately, you have the option of investing your time in either local or foreign tourism.
Working in this business will ensure that your typical workday is never packed with monotonous and repetitive activities.
You’ll be continuously confronted with new issues and obstacles, and each day will be unique.
One of the most pleasing aspects of having a job in this industry is the constant opportunity to meet new people!
With that being said, not everyone will be suitable to take up a course in hospitality and tourism. However, it is possible to develop the needed skills with practice and persistence.
Nonetheless, you should consider studying this course if you excel in the following areas:
Regularly, you will interact with people of all cultural backgrounds, ages, and nations.
As such, you must be able to speak and communicate clearly. In fact, you’ll have an added advantage in international tourism if you are fluent in more than one language.
Good communication skills are especially critical in a fast-paced professional atmosphere when you are part of a team.
The whole basis of a hospitality and tourism degree is always to bring positive experiences to the customer.
So, even when customers might come across as obnoxious or irritating, you must maintain patience to satisfy their requirements and desires and provide excellent service.
Even in the face of adversity, it’s important to maintain a professional demeanour.
It’s the small details that make a customer’s experience memorable. To accomplish this, you must ensure that every little detail is attended to.
People who succeed in this field are generally those who can pay attention to every detail and are prepared to go above and beyond.
In a crisis, you must think fast and effectively to address any difficulties that arise.
For instance, if you work in a hotel and a customer faces a problem with checking in, you can give them a complimentary beverage to keep them calm. It will make a positive impression and give you more time to think of a solution.
Problems may arise throughout the day in this sector, and it will be up to you to solve them so that everything runs smoothly. Hence, you must be ready to work under any pressure as it is vital to handling crises.
One of the things you should be comfortable with when you work in this field is taking long working shifts.
For example, if you become a tour guide, you might be tasked to do a whole day tour which typically lasts around 12 hours. Since this involves walking a lot, you have to commit to putting in the time to reap the benefits.
Here’s what you need to know if you want to study hospitality and tourism in Malaysia:
Each university has its requirements one has to meet to take up a course in their establishment. Nevertheless, here’s a general guideline:
The following are the basic minimum entrance requirements for pursuing a Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism:
The following are the basic minimum entrance requirements for pursuing a Degree in Hospitality & Tourism:
Do note that this is just the average requirement, and thus, entry requirements may be lower or higher at the tertiary institution you are interested in.
Many universities and colleges offer hospitality and tourism courses. You can try out this course at UOW Malaysia KDU. Our programs are made to cultivate our students to perform well in whatever profession they pursue.
They will be exposed to hands-on experiences to learn how to cope with pressure and gain skills that will help them succeed in this industry.
Here are some hospitality and tourism programs available in UOW Malaysia KDU:
Each university will have its unique program structure. However, here’s a general list of subjects taught in this course:
There are many types of internships available for students graduating from hospitality and tourism courses, which are:
Graduates will have the opportunity to pursue many unique and exciting careers in this field. Here are some of the examples:
How much you will get paid will entirely depend on your workplace and your hierarchy at work. Nevertheless, generally, salaries vary from anywhere from RM1,670 to RM12,300.
Fresh graduates typically will be paid the average salary for entry-level, which is about RM1,500 to RM2,000.
Yes, you can! A hospitality and tourism degree allows you to pursue working abroad if you wish to. You will have the chance to see a new place, learn about a new culture, and learn a new language.
Courses such as Diploma in International Hotel Management and Bachelor in International Hotel and Tourism Management at UOW Malaysia KDU will prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to work abroad.
The COVID-19 epidemic had a substantial impact on the tourist business in Malaysia, as it had in other nations. To limit the spread of the virus, governments closed their borders and restricted travel, halting inbound tourists.
While the pandemic has harmed the tourist industry, the focus on digitalisation and the development of smart goods and infrastructure are two efforts that are helping Malaysia construct a more resilient and sustainable future.
This crisis has given us a chance to rethink and reinvent existing procedures, especially when adopting more environmentally friendly tourist practices.
With that being said, Malaysia’s hospitality and tourism industry will prevail once everything is back to normal, as it is vital for its economy.
As we have covered in this article, this industry benefits anyone who decides to take it up. But, the decision is in your hands! To get more information on this program, you can send your enquiries here.
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